Where there is hatred let us show love

If you are a regular visitor to our site you may have found the page ‘Family News’ which relates things as they happen. Similarly the Diary will tell you what we plan will happen so keep an eye on that also as it changes at any time.

Yes, the Pastorate Celebration was good. It’s always invigorating to visit a different church and have a different sort of service. We enjoyed getting together and chatting to our friends although many of us were slow to make new friends.

We had a church meeting. It was interesting in different ways. This Data Protection nonsense that’s sweeping through Britain like a virus has been dealt with in our way. Luckily very little will change and it will cause very little extra work in the future. It has been a nightmare to prepare. At last we are about to have progress on proofing the buildings from the elements ready for another winter. We have agreed to arrange for a new flue to be fitted to the old boiler; hopefully we shall be warm this winter. More exciting is the possibility of welcoming Isobel and Margaret into membership.

Today Peter Ollerhead was the third person who used Mark 4 as a basis for his message. In particular, the calming of the terrible storm. Each person has given an encouraging message for us. This time we were reminded that there were small boats on that sea and Jesus saved them also, just as he will save small churches which are tossed about.

This afternoon we welcomed USBC choir to sing “ROCK”, the story of Peter by Roger Jones. It was good, of course, they always are; the soloists were good, especially those that put expression, feeling, passion, acting, into their singing. Congratulations to their conductor, David Greatbanks.
Plenty of friends turned up to hear them and it was lovely to hear the buzz of conversation before and after the cantata. It was also lovely to clear away empty plates that had been filled with buffet; thank you all for eating.

At our church meeting we decided to stay with the building. Of course that meant we have to resolve the heating problem. We think we have; the beginning of the final stages is about to start.
On Sunday we welcomed Isobel and Margaret into our church at a simple but significant ceremony. We were delighted to see Ros, Ann and Ray at the service.

Now that we are definitely staying, we know to work on the building. The guttering and mortar have been corrected, the roofs of the stable and gents’ toilet have been re-tiled, and the interior of the gents’ toilet has been smartened. The new boiler works a treat. It’s maiden voyage was for our Harvest Service which was led by David Spence. Good service about praising God for the good times and praising God in the bad times for he is the same God.

At the Church Meeting in October Murray introduced us to Lee Battle who is seconded to work with Murray during her final years of training for the ministry. More about Lee on the Family page. The new boiler was paid for by a donor. We considered where our mission and ministry should be. We also discussed many other matters, concluding with preparations for the special services in November and December, the dates for which are on the diary page.

At the beginning of Advent we have always welcomed the Salvation Amy who need toys and other goods for Christmas presents to people, especially children, who would not have anything. Last year they distributed gift ‘parcels’ to over 2000 people! Every year we are amazed at the quantity collected by our families, friends, and friends’ friends. One person said they were flabbergasted by this year’s display. The Major, Steven Watson, claimed he was not surprised because Minshull has a reputation for its generosity. We enjoyed the service and Major Steven talked about Joseph being asked to do something which was uncomfortable and difficult. There is a photo of the display which should appear here.

We have enjoyed celebrating Christmas this year. Lee Battle read items about Mary, John, shepherds and wise men, inviting us to pray about each one. David Spence led a traditional carol service, Murray’s Christmas Day service was about giving and about people resting in the Lord. David Hamblin let us sing our favourite carols and then the USBC Choir sang ‘the Gift’. Photo coming, I hope.

The Christmas season (extended) is now over and we can settle down again. Murray wonders whether we should celebrate Advent in the weeks before Christmas Day. That has its advantages even though the change would be hard for us – we have adopted the way of the world and that is comfortable.

We have invited Rev. Dr. Brian McGucken to tell us about Embrace ME on 31st March. Now we look forward to an interesting and enjoyable afternoon service followed by tea and biscuits (or coffee and cake).

Our Good Friday service was led by Elizabeth who reminded us that Jesus died for Gentiles like us, not just Jews. We enjoy taking part with readings from scripture, poetry and prose. Then we went to Trinity at Winsford for their ‘tenebrae’ service and refreshments. Murray took our Easter service with communion. Being the 1st April he talked about the foolishness of our faith being based on wisdom. We enjoyed two trifles made for us by Joanne, Jen’s daughter.

Jen had a really good funeral. A church full of well-wishers, beautiful floral displays, good singing of ‘Turn your eyes upon Jesus’ and ‘The day thou gavest’, talks by Mim and David who also did the prayers. Perhaps the ‘picnic hamper’ coffin was a surprise – the family bearers managed it well within the confines of the aisles. More in ‘Family News’.

Please pray with us for

the church to know Jesus more
the people who live near the church
the people who are struggling with life
Mission Aviation Fellowship
Murray George, our new minister
guest preachers.

Would you like us to pray for a concern of yours?

R U

R U looking for a happy church, small, friendly, relaxed, caring, gentle, with prayer and offering the hope and peace of Jesus? You’ve found it! Want a warm intimate setting for a baptism, wedding or funeral? Then simply click on this button.

When

Normally we worship God together on Sundays at 2.30 (October to March) or 6.00 (April to September), and then at 11.30 on some Wednesdays. Our arrangements are flexible so do check our diary or phone the secretary before you come.

Rev. Murray George

Secretary

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"Prayer does not fit us for the greater work. Prayer is the greater work."
(Oswald Chambers)

What do you think?

Words written and spoken are incredibly powerful to build up or destroy other people. We can praise God and criticise people with the same tongue. The words we use express what is inside our minds and our hearts, revealing more about us than we would wish.

Listening to children as they play tells us much about conversations in the home. Listening to Christians as they socialise tells us much about their relationship with their Saviour.